IIT Madras Licenses 'Kadam' Prosthetic Knee to Spark Minda Foundation

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has signed a non-exclusive technology license agreement with the Spark Minda Foundation for 'Kadam', a prosthetic knee developed at the institute to help people with limb loss walk on uneven terrain. Signed by IIT Madras' Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and the Foundation, the agreement transfers the technology behind the knee so it can be manufactured and made available more widely.

Kadam was developed at IIT Madras by the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies (NCAHT) and the TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), led by Professor Sujatha Srinivasan, who heads both centres. Under the agreement, IIT Madras' research and engineering work on the knee is paired with Spark Minda Foundation's capabilities in product development, manufacturing and scale-up, with the goal of moving Kadam from research and development to wider access and further strengthening India's capacity to develop and deliver accessible prosthetic technology at scale.

Spark Minda Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of Spark Minda, an automotive components manufacturer. The agreement was announced at an event opened by Dr. Suresh D., Group Chief Technology Officer of Spark Minda Group and Chief Executive Officer of Spark Minda Technical Centre, and attended by Sarika Minda, Chairperson of Spark Minda Foundation.

Srinivasan said IIT Madras was glad to collaborate with partners who believe persons with disabilities should have access to technologies that support their independence.

The partnership is part of Spark Minda Foundation's broader target of achieving 50,000 prosthetic limb fitments by 2030.